2017 Fantasy Football: Cooper Kupp Already Looking like the Real Deal

When the Los Angeles Rams released their first preseason depth chart, rookie WR Cooper Kupp was listed among the starting lineup along with Tavon Austin and Robert Woods. The third-round pick has been impressing all training camp, and it is obviously paying off.

According to Rotoworld, Kupp is slated for the Jamison Crowder role in Rams head coach Sean McVay’s offense. Crowder, for reference, had 67 receptions (97 targets) for 847 yards (12.6 avg) and 7 touchdowns in 2016. McVay was Crowder and the Washington Redskins’ offensive coordinator before being hired on as the Ram’s new head coach this offseason.

As the likely slot receiver, it makes sense for Kupp to become second-year QB Jared Goff’s security blanket. While Austin and Woods are deployed downfield, Kupp could be more of a possession receiver, being available to Goff closer to the line of scrimmage. That should mean a ton of targets coming Kupp’s way.

Per Rotoworld’s Raymond Summerlin, McVay is bullish on Kupp, saying, “I see a mature rookie… [He’s] one of those receivers that sees the game through the quarterback’s eyes. He always has a plan at the line of scrimmage, understands coverages and route concepts, and I think that’s what enables him to be such a productive player and very advanced for a rookie.”

I love Kupp as a late-round sleeper in PPR formats. The recipe is there for him to see a ton of targets. Like many slot receivers, the receptions will be there, but the yards and touchdowns may not be impressive.

Jake Arthur is a member of the Professional Football Writers of America. He is the Director of Fantasy Football Content for Pro Football Spot and a contributor forSB Nation's Indianapolis Colts website, Stampede Blue. Follow @JakeArthurNFL on Twitter!